The Channel 4 boss was quick to rule himself out of the BBC director general race. But some who know this fiercely ambitious executive point out that he will probably see himself as a credible candidate when George Entwistle steps down.

He did well to focus his energies on Channel 4 as 2011 proved a pretty good year for the former adman, whose main priority since taking the job two-and-a-half years ago was to fashion its post-Big Brother future. He has also made big strides with the channel's Paralympics coverage.

Financially Channel 4's performance has been pretty solid for an advertising-funded broadcaster emerging from a recession. Profits were £44m before tax in 2011 and he was able to promise his programming supremo Jay Hunt another £55m on British programming, taking the total spend to £455m on UK content to this year.

The digital channels were also part of the good news story, returning a healthy £61.4m; there was also an £18.6m windfall from The Inbetweeners Movie.